Post by catscratchfever4 on Aug 17, 2018 23:49:06 GMT -6
KJ Smith was looking for an opportunity to continue his football career and feels like he has found the right fit at North Alabama.
The former Georgia defensive back has signed with the Lions and went through his first practice with the team Thursday morning. A walk-on at Georgia, Smith was excited to receive a scholarship offer from UNA.
The former Georgia defensive back has signed with the Lions and went through his first practice with the team Thursday morning. A walk-on at Georgia, Smith was excited to receive a scholarship offer from UNA.
“I think one of the Georgia coaches recommended me, so UNA called me and asked if I still wanted to play,” Smith said. “They told me they had a scholarship for me if I wanted to play, so I immediately told them I was coming.”
A Perry, Georgia native, Smith was a member of the Bulldogs for the past two years. He did not play his first year of college, but walked on and was redshirted in 2016. He was a member of the squad but did not see any game action last year as Georgia won the SEC Championship and lost to Alabama in the College Football Playoff Championship.
UNA had a need at safety when junior college transfer Jordan Robinson was lost for the season with a torn Achilles.
Because Smith had started fall camp with Georgia he was able to practice in pads immediately with UNA.
“I was actually in camp for a couple of days and then I decided it would be best for me to go somewhere else,” Smith said. “I had a good spring, but the depth chart wasn’t in my favor.
I just didn’t want to waste my last two years not getting to play and felt like I had a better opportunity here.”
UNA had a need at safety when junior college transfer Jordan Robinson was lost for the season with a torn Achilles.
Because Smith had started fall camp with Georgia he was able to practice in pads immediately with UNA.
“I was actually in camp for a couple of days and then I decided it would be best for me to go somewhere else,” Smith said. “I had a good spring, but the depth chart wasn’t in my favor.
I just didn’t want to waste my last two years not getting to play and felt like I had a better opportunity here.”
Smith went through spring practice with Georgia and was a standout in the spring game when he recorded 3 tackles, intercepted a pass and broke up 2 passes.
“We heard he had a very good spring and he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t bumped up in the depth chart,” UNA coach Chris Willis said. “He just wants an opportunity to play. After we lost Jordan Robinson we felt like we needed to add another guy at safety. He can play safety corner or nickel, but he has to learn our system.”
Smith said he is confident he can get caught up and be ready for UNA’s season opener at Southern Utah on Sept. 1.
“I felt like UNA is a place where I can come in and make an impact right away,” he said. “The coaches told me if I can come in and show what I can do then I should be on the field. It sounded good to me. I just love the game and I’m ready to play.”
“We heard he had a very good spring and he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t bumped up in the depth chart,” UNA coach Chris Willis said. “He just wants an opportunity to play. After we lost Jordan Robinson we felt like we needed to add another guy at safety. He can play safety corner or nickel, but he has to learn our system.”
Smith said he is confident he can get caught up and be ready for UNA’s season opener at Southern Utah on Sept. 1.
“I felt like UNA is a place where I can come in and make an impact right away,” he said. “The coaches told me if I can come in and show what I can do then I should be on the field. It sounded good to me. I just love the game and I’m ready to play.”
